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P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
INVESTIGATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN ALUMINIUM
SILICON CARBIDE MICA HYBRID METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE
P Saravanan1, M Shanmuga Priyan2, R Raghuram3, S Sharath Kumar4, T Anand5
1
Student, Mechanical Engineering, SriMuthukumaran Institute of Technology, Tamil nadu, India,
[email protected]
2
Student, Mechanical Engineering, SriMuthukumaran Institute of Technology, Tamil nadu, India,
[email protected]
3
Student, Mechanical Engineering, SriMuthukumaran Institute of Technology, Tamil nadu, India,
[email protected]
4
Student, Mechanical Engineering, SriMuthukumaran Institute of Technology, Tamil nadu, India,
[email protected]
5
Associate professor, Mechanical Engineering, SriMuthukumaran Institute of Technology, Tamil nadu, India,
[email protected]
Abstract
The wide range of availability of aluminium has made it an important material for manufacturing many components. An aluminium
alloy which has low tensile strength and hardness is been composited with other materials to improve its properties and reduce its
drawbacks. Aluminium is been composited with silicon carbide that drastically increases the properties. Our study involves
fabrication of aluminium silicon carbide with mica in stir casting method to obtain a hybrid metal matrix composite. Maintaining a
constant amount of aluminium and silicon carbide, mica is varied to obtain a three different compositions of (AlSiCM) composites.
The mechanical properties such tensile strength, flexural strength, impact and hardness are studied. The dispersion of mica and
silicon carbide particles are observed by viewing the microstructure photographs obtained using Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM).
Index Terms: Aluminium metal matrix composite, silicon carbide, mica, mechanical properties, stir casting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- *** -----------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION
Aluminium is the third most abundant material available in
nature. It has replaced the ferrous element in wide range of
applications due to its specific properties like low density,
corrosion resistance due to passivation, light in weight etc.
Aluminium also has defective properties which prevent it from
being applied in other fields. In order to overcome the defects
of pure aluminium alloys, a new material called aluminium
composite was discovered. Aluminium composites are also
called as aluminium metal matrix composites. A metal matrix
composite is a combination of two distinct metals to obtain a
compounded material known as reinforced material. In metal
matrix, matrix is the continuous material in which the
reinforcing material is added in whiskers, fabrics and
particulates. The reinforcement may be continuous or
discontinuous. When more than one reinforcement is added
with the matrix it is said to be a Hybrid metal matrix
composite.
The aluminium alloy components are replaced with metal
matrix aluminium composites (MMC). The MMCs play a vital
role in our modern day today life. Graphite or steel with high
carbide contents or tungsten carbides or metallic binders also
come under this category. It is mainly used when a
conventional material does not achieve the required standards
or specific demands. Reinforcement of the metal matrix is
chosen based on the required property to be achieved with a
base metal. Such a MMC’s are called as particulate metal
matrix composites (PMMCs). The PMMCs lead to obtain a
high strength and high wear resistive material by introduction
of hard particles such as silicon carbide, boron carbide etc..,
Hybrid metal matrix composites are modern day composites
where more than one type of material of different shapes and
sizes are used to improve the properties. They are still
advantageous than PMMCs as it involves with advantages
more than two materials.
Metal matrix composites such as cobalt matrix with tungsten
carbide particles is used to manufacture carbide drills, steel
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P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
reinforced with boron nitride is used in tank armours, in power
electronic modules aluminium graphite composites are used
because of their high thermal conductivity. These composites
have wide range of application space systems because of their
wide range of operating temperatures and resistance to absorb
moisture etc.
[1]Anthony Macke, B.F. Schultz, PradeepRohatgi in their
journal have described about the opportunity in reduction of
weight and increase in performance of auto mobiles using
MMCs. [2]T.Rajmohan, K.Palanikumar, S.Ranganathan have
discussed about the mechanical and wear properties of
aluminium silicon carbide mica hybrid composites and their
results showed that the mica composite had good strength and
hardness. Cast aluminium alloy composites
containing
ground mica particles coated by copper a journal published by
[3]Deona T H, Rohatgi P K revealed that the ground mica
coated with copper found to have good strength and used for
bearing applications.
2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
2.1 MATERIALS
The matrix that has been used here is 6061. The alloy
composition and mechanical properties of Al6061 is tabulated.
A micron size of 4μm black silicon carbide is used as the first
reinforcement and muscovite a type of mica of 26 μm is taken
as the 2nd reinforcement. Three different compositions, taking
1%, 2% and 3% of mica and 4% SiC as a constant required
composites are fabricated. The Table-1 shows the composition
In which the material is fabricated.
The fabrication of composites are done by stir casting method,
Due to its suitability in producing uniformly distributed
reinforcements. Aluminium6061 was purchased in the form of
rods and then were cut into pieces to as per requirement of the
crucible. Muscovite a type of mica was obtained for study
from Micafab industries. Table -2&3 shows the composition
of Al6061 alloy and its mechanical properties respectively.
45.57
33.10
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
9.87
2.48
0.642
Traces
0.21
0.38
Table-4: Mechanical properties of Al6061
Density Ultimate Yield
Elongation
gcm-3
Tensile
tensile
%
strength strength
MPa
MPa
Modulus
of
elasticity
Gpa
Poisson
ratio
2.7
68.9
0.33
310
276
12
Metallic moulds of required shapes are used to obtain the
specimens for tests. The molten metal of aluminium obtained
by stir casting is poured into the moulds.
2.2 SPECIMEN FABRICATION
The cylindrical rods are cut into required sizes and placed into
the crucible. SiC and Mica are taken in separate vessels and
preheated along with the crucible in the furnace up to a
temperature of 850°C. The metallic moulds of required shapes
are placed in the preheated and heated up to a temperature of
500°C. After 850°C is reached the molten aluminium is taken
out and 5 grams of degasser is added to remove the impurities
and small amount of coverall is added to prevent oxidation.
For a good wettability a small amount of magnesium is added.
The heated SiC and Mica are added to the crucible and placed
again into the furnace. The furnace is once again heated up to
a temperature of 850°C. The crucible is placed perpendicular
to the stirrer and the stirrer is inserted into the crucible. The
stirrer is made to stir at a speed of 300 rpm.
The preheated metal moulds are placed over river sand. The
crucible with melt is poured into the mould. The melt is
poured until the metal rises from the riser. The mould is then
allowed to cooled and then the metal of the mould shape is
obtained which is then later cut into require dimensions of the
specimen.
2.3 SPECIMEN TESTING
2.3.1 TENSILE
Table-1: Compositions of AlSiC-Mica
COMPOSITIONS
SiC %
1
4
2
4
3
4
Mica %
1
2
3
Table-2: Composition of Al6061
Cu
Si
Mg Mn Fe
0.15- 0.4- 0.8- Max Max0.7
0.4
0.8 1.2 0.15
Zn
Max
0.25
Ti
Max0.15
Al
Bal
Table-3: Chemical properties of mica (mass fraction %)
SiO2 Al2O3 K20 Fe2O3 Na2O TiO2
CaO MgO
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Tensile strength is one of the important parameters which is
used to determine the applications of a material.
Fig-1: Tensile test specimen
The ASTM standard that has been applied for tensile test is
E8. The cylindrical rod casted by stir casting method is
113
P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
machined with respect to standard. A dumbbell shaped
specimen was fixed at the ends of the universal testing
machine. Tensile load was applied until the break point and
the corresponding values were recorded.
2.3.2 FLEXURAL
Fig-4:Hardness test specimen
For flexural testing, rectangular specimen was casted which
was later machined into standard specimen. The specimen was
placed over the universal testing machine and then a vertical
load is applied until breakeven point and the value are
recorded.
2.3.5 SEM SPECIMEN
Fig-2: Flexural test specimen
Fig-5:SEM specimen
2.3.3 IMPACT
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is the device used to
view the particles and grain size of the specimen. The
specimen is prepared by polishing 10*10*10 mm cube. 5% of
volume of HF etchant is used to etch the surface of the sample
and it is washed in distilled water before carrying out SEM.
The method of impact test that has been applied here is charpy
impact test. A standard test piece of required dimension is
machined and then the test was carried out.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1 MICROSTRUCTURE
Fig-3:Impact test specimen
2.3.4 HARDNESS
The micrographs obtained by scanning electron microscopy
show the dispersion of the reinforcement particles in the
matrix. The SiC particles were evenly distributed and mica
was clogged at some places. There is an agglomeration of
particles. Appearances of small pits are due to oxidation of
surface by the etchants or may be by the grinding of the
surface. Thread like grain boundaries are due to fine particles
of reinforcements added with matrix.
Brinell hardness test was carried out with a finely polished
plate surfce. The surface was placed below diamond indentor
and three sets of impressions were made and on a average the
Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) was obtained
Fig-6:SEM micrograph of Mica 1% composition
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P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
Fig-7:SEM micrograph of Mica 2% composition
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
The hardness result obtained by Brinell Hardness Test shows
that the composition with 2% of mica has a higher hardness
than other two compositions. It shows that on increasing mica,
the hardness of aluminium silicon carbide decreases. As the
decrease in hardness improves the machinability of the
composite, this proves mica a good substitute for AlSiC
composite as a hardness reducing agent. Mica will be a good
substitute for graphite because of its ductile nature.
3.2.2 IMPACT
Table-6: variation of impact strength in each composition
s.no compositions
Impact in joules
1
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(1%)
6.66
2
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(2%)
4
3
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(3%)
6
Fig-8:SEM micrograph of Mica 3% composition
Impact in joules
The SEM photographs acts as evidence for the proper
distribution of silicon carbide and mica particle in the
aluminium matrix.
8
6
Impact in
joules
4
3.2 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
2
3.2.1 HARDNESS
0
Table-5: variation of hardness in each composition
s.no compositions
Hardness in HBW
1
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(1%)
44.03
2
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(2%)
46.76
3
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(3%)
44.23
Three impressions were made on the specimen of each
composition in different places so as to get the aggregate value
of hardness of the sample.
Hardness in HBW
47
46
45
Hardness in
HBW
44
Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%)
+mica(1%) +mica(2%) +mica(3%)
Graph-2: Impact load variations in each composition
The impact of the composites obtained through charpy impact
test shows that the toughness of the composite decreases at
first and then increases. The yield strength of the composite
decreases as the composition of mica increases.
3.2.3 TENSILE
Table-7: variation of tensile properties in each composition
s.no compositions
Tensile Yield
Elongation
strength stress
in %
in Mpa
in
Mpa
1
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(1%) 94.96
85.09
3.2
2
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(2%) 115.845 107.28 3.2
3
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(3%) 84.32
75.425 3.1
43
42
Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%)
+mica(1%) +mica(2%) +mica(3%)
Graph-1: Hardness variation in each composition
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The figure shows the relationship between tensile strength,
yield stress and elongation percentage of the compositions.
The tensile strength specimen increases from 1% of mica
composite to 2% of it. Above 3% of mica the tensile strength
is observed to be decreased . This shows that 2% mica
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P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
composition is the threshold region of Aluminium silicon
carbide Mica composite. The elongation percentage of all the
three composition remained constant.The consistency in
elongation percentage is due to constant silicon carbide
4%.The brittleness increse with in crese in SiC and there by it
is observable that 2% mica constituent is good.
140
Tensile
strength in
Mpa
120
100
Yield stress in
Mpa
80
60
40
Elongation in
%
20
higher bending load than the other composites. Therefore on
increasing mica the bending load gets decreased at greater
difference at first and followed minimal differences.
3. CONCLUSION
Aluminium reinforced with silicon carbide is the vital
composite with less machinability. In order to improve the
properties of such a composite various materials are reinforced
by researchers around the world. The above results show that
mica could be a good substitute to soften the AlSiC composite.
It is observed that fabrication of Aluminium silicon carbide
mica composite can be done using stir casting method. The
micrographs obtained from SEM prove that the dispersion
reinforcement particles are finer with stir casting method. The
grain boundaries show the mixing of particles with little
clusters of particles.
o
0
Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%)
+mica(1%) +mica(2%) +mica(3%)
Graph-3: Tensile properties variation in each compositon
o
o
3.2.4 FLEXURAL
Table-8: variation of flexural strength in each composition
s.no compositions
Flexural load in KN
1
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(1%)
1.87
2
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(2%)
1.1
3
Al+SiC(4%)+mica(3%)
1.11
Flexural load in KN
2
1.5
Flexural load
in KN
1
0.5
0
Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%) Al+SiC(4%)
+mica(1%) +mica(2%) +mica(3%)
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
o
o
The hardness of the compositions first increases and
then decreases with higher hardness in 2%mica
composition.
The toughness of the composition first decreases
and then increases.
The tensile strength of the composition increases
from 1% to 2% mica composition followed by a fall
in 3% mica composition.
The flexural load for bending first decrease
followed by increase.
The 2% composition of mica is the better
reinforcement that showed a effective properties.
4. REFERENCES
1. Anthony Macke, B.F. Schultz, PradeepRohatgi. Metal
Matrix Composites Offer the Automotive Industry an
Opportunity to Reduce Vehicle Weight, Improve
Performance.ASM international
2. Rajmohan T, Palanikumar K. Modelling and analysis of
performance in drilling hybrid composites [J].
The Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2012,
DOI:10.1007/s00170-012-4083-6
3. Deona T H, Rohatgi P K. Cast aluminium alloy composites
containing copper-coated ground mica particles [J]. Journal of
Material Science, 1981, 16: 1599−1606.
Graph-4: Flexural load variation in each composition
The flexural test is made to know the load at which a material
starts to bend. The figure shows that the 1% mica composite
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4. Songmene V, Balazinski M. Machinability of graphitic
metal matrix composites as a function of reinforcing particles..
Ann CIRP, 1999, 48: 77−8
116
P Saravanan* et al.
ISSN: 2250-3676
[IJESAT] [International Journal of Engineering Science & Advanced Technology]
Volume-5, Issue-2, 112-117
Composites-A Review, International Journal of Current
Engineering and Technology ISSN 2277 – 4106.
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Kulkarni. Fabrication of metal matrix composite by stir
casting method, Pargunde,etal, International Journal Of
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